Shortness of breath – which is medically termed ‘Dyspnoea’ – is a condition in which the flow of air into the lungs is adversely affected. Ordinarily, it could occur when one does certain strenuous physical activities or have difficulty acclimatizing to an area of high altitude. Obesity, smoking and extremely chilly temperature are also risk factors. However, there are some underlying diseases [affecting the lungs and heart] that could trigger the incidence of shortness of breath. It may be accompanied by symptoms such as tightness in the chest, fever, cough, rash and of course, breathlessness.

Notwithstanding, the purpose of this write-up is to discuss how to manage or treat this condition. So, without further ado, I share with you 5 tips to help you curb shortness of breath.

  • Deep breathing/Diaphragmatic breathing: Generally, most of us do not make conscious effort to engage the diaphragm while breathing but this can be very valuable for someone experiencing shortness of breath. All you need to do is lie down comfortably on a flat surface – or sit in a chair while relaxing your head, neck, spine and shoulders – and place your hands on your belly; then take a deep breath through your nose. At this point, you should feel your abdomen expanded. Hold your breath for 5 seconds and then slowly breathe out through your mouth. You can repeat the process over and again – probably for about 5 minutes. Do note that your muscles have to be tightened while breathing out.
  • Pursed-lip breathing technique: Keep your neck and shoulders in a relaxed position and breathe in through the nose. Then with your lips pursed – as though in readiness to blow a whistle – slowly let out the air [through the mouth]. This technique is effective in freeing up the air that has been trapped in the lungs overtime.
  • Sitting or leaning forward: Simply sit in a chair while ensuring that your feet is flat on a levelled platform and lean forward. Since it is important that you relax the muscles of your neck and shoulders, you can place your forehead on a table – just like you are taking a quick nap at work.
  • Standing against a wall: Stand with you back against a wall and also ensure that hips are resting on the wall. Plus, your shoulders should be relaxed while leaning slightly forward.
  • Using a fan: Sitting in front of a fan and allowing cool air to blow directly on your face can also help curb shortness of breath to an appreciable extent. This basically aid in alleviating the hunger for air that could arise from dyspnoea.

Other means of managing this condition include [but definitely not limited to] the following:

  • Quit smoking

  • Losing weight if you are obese

  • Staying away from environments laden with toxins or pollutants

  • Avoiding doing strenuous exercises especially when you are in a high-altitude area. Do light exercises instead.

  • Drink coffee

  • Use steam + peppermint oil

  • Eat ginger

To wrap this up, it is necessary to state that the tips shared here [in this article] should not take the place of medical check-up. You should not hesitate to seek medical advice if the situation become worrisome and/or persists over a period of time.